"The water you touch in a river is the last of that which has passed, and the first of that which is coming; thus it is with time."
-Leonardo DaVinci
Delaware River Water Flow Data
Water flow and water temperature information at select USGS water flow gauges for the Delaware River and tributaries. *Also included is Storage Data for the New York City Reservoirs.
A Guide to Wading & Floating the West and East Branch
*Keep in mind that this is just a guide and individual skill and fitness levels should be your real guide to safely wading and/or floating any river. River flows are described in cubic feet per second (cfs).
The West Branch
400-450 cfs: Almost 100% wadable. At this level drifting will mean walking the boat over some shallow areas.
600-800 cfs: At best, 60-70% of the river is wadable. The river becomes very floatable.
1000-1200 cfs: Except for the most aggressive waders, not much of the river is wadable. Fishing from a boat now becomes the best method.
1200-1500 cfs: This is the highest level you should even think about wading. Even so, the places where you could safely wade are few. Drift boat fishing is ideal.
1500+ cfs: Yikes! Don't even consider wading. Too high and too dangerous to wade. Very fishable from a drift boat.
600-800 cfs: At best, 60-70% of the river is wadable. The river becomes very floatable.
1000-1200 cfs: Except for the most aggressive waders, not much of the river is wadable. Fishing from a boat now becomes the best method.
1200-1500 cfs: This is the highest level you should even think about wading. Even so, the places where you could safely wade are few. Drift boat fishing is ideal.
1500+ cfs: Yikes! Don't even consider wading. Too high and too dangerous to wade. Very fishable from a drift boat.
Upper East Branch
The Upper East Branch is that part of the river north of NY Route 17 (upstream from the Beaverkill).
250-500 cfs: At this level 75%-95% of the river is wadable.
600-800 cfs: On average, about 50% of the river is wadable, maybe 60-65% at the lower end of the flow range and less than 50% at the higher range.
900+ cfs: Don't wade. Too dangerous.
250-500 cfs: At this level 75%-95% of the river is wadable.
600-800 cfs: On average, about 50% of the river is wadable, maybe 60-65% at the lower end of the flow range and less than 50% at the higher range.
900+ cfs: Don't wade. Too dangerous.
Lower East Branch
The Lower East Branch is south of NY Route 17 (downstream from the Beaverkill).
700-800 cfs: 90% wadable.
850-1000 cfs: Still wadable in most sections, but at this level the river also fishes well from a drift boat.
1200-1500 cfs: Less than 50% wadable. The river is more fishable from a boat.
1600+ cfs: Drift boat fishing. Too dangerous to wade.